Our Mission Statement

ATHENA’s mission is to:

• Advance the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of women’s and girls’ human rights, comprehensively and inclusively, as a fundamental component of the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Ensure gender equity in HIV-related research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and the development of interventions based on a gendered analysis.
• Promote and facilitate the leadership of women and girls, especially those living with HIV, in all aspects of the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Bridge the communities around the world that are addressing gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV.

In advancing this mission, ATHENA aims to:

• Address neglected or contentious human rights issues such as the sexual and reproductive rights of women living with HIV.
• Link the global with the local in meaningful ways.
• Link research, policy, advocacy, and practice.
• Share information and experiences in order to develop common agendas.
• Build alliances across movements, sectors, and regions.
• Develop and support the leadership capacity of women and girls, especially those living with HIV.
• Enable individuals and organizations to be agents of change.